B"H
Friday, Menachem Av 8, 5778 / July 20, 2018
This Shabbat, Parshat Devarim, is the 9th day in the month of Menachem Av. If it was not on Shabbat, it would be a fast day, to commemorate the destruction of the two Holy Temples. But on Shabbat it is prohibited to fast (except Yom Kippur). As a result the fast is pushed off to after Shabbat. The fast begins Saturday night and continues through Sunday.
Our sages always found the good and positive even in adverse events. The following Talmudic tale, took place soon after the destruction of the Second Temple. Rabbi Gamliel, Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Akiva were traveling to Rome. From a distance, they already heard the noise and the hustle bustle in the city. Three of the Rabbis began to weep, while Rabbi Akiva laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" they asked. "Why are you crying?" Rabbi Akiva responded.
"These people destroyed our Holy Temple and are idol worshippers, yet they are living peacefully, while our Holy Temple, the House of G-d, lies in ashes. How can we not cry?"
"That is exactly the reason I am laughing," answered Rabbi Akiva. "If people who transgress G-d's will, receive such goodness, imagine how much more good will G-d grant to those who obey Him.
On another occasion, the four rabbis were walking to Jerusalem. Upon reaching Mount Tzofim, they saw the place where the Holy Temple used to stand. At that point, they tore their clothes in mourning, as Jewish law dictates. Then they saw a fox roaming where the Temple once stood. Three of the rabbis began to weep, while Rabbi Akiva laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" they protested. "Why are you crying?" Rabbi Akiva replied.
"We see the most holy spot of the Beth Hamikdash, where at one time no one except the High Priest could enter, and then only on Yom Kippur, now foxes are roaming there! How can we not cry?"
Rabbi Akiva answered, "This is the reason I am laughing! When I see that the prophecies of destruction were fulfilled to the fullest, I am encouraged and confident that the prophecies such as, 'There will come a time when old men and women will sit peacefully in the streets of Jerusalem' - which state that good times will come, will surely be fulfilled and come true." The other rabbis said to Rabbi Akiva, "Akiva you have comforted us!"
While we remember the destruction of the Holy Temples, we must also have faith in the future; in the coming of Moshiach, when the Temple will be re-build and good will be in abundance. May it be speedily in our days. Amen
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:18 / Shabbat ends: 9:29